Tool pack system with removable tool panels

Abstract

A pack system adapted for carrying hand tools includes a tool-carrying container constructed to be worn on a user's person and having a container base portion, a first shell portion, a second shell portion, and a releasable closure with a first closure part connected to the first shell portion and a second closure part connected the second shell portion. The tool-carrying container is operable between an open-container position and a closed-container position in which it defines and encloses a main storage compartment. At least one tool panel is removably disposed within the main storage compartment and has one or more tool receivers each constructed to retain a hand tool. A panel-retaining structure has a first retaining portion secured to the tool panel(s) and a second retaining portion secured inside of the tool-carrying container. The panel-retaining structure releasably retains the tool panel(s) in the main storage compartment.

We claim: 
     
       1. A pack system adapted for carrying hand tools comprising:
 a tool-carrying container constructed to be worn on an user's person, the tool-carrying container having a container base portion interconnecting a first shell portion and a second shell portion, and a releasable closure with a first closure part connected to the first shell portion and a second closure part connected the second shell portion, wherein the tool-carrying container is operable between an open-container position and a closed-container position and in the closed-container position defines and encloses a main storage compartment; 
 at least one tool panel with one or more tool receivers each constructed to retain a hand tool, the at least one tool panel having a tool panel side portion and a tool panel lower end portion, wherein the at least one tool panel is removably disposed within the main storage compartment; 
 a panel-retaining structure with a first retaining portion secured to the at least one tool panel and a second retaining portion secured to an inside surface of the tool-carrying container, wherein the panel-retaining structure is constructed to releasably retain the at least one tool panel in the main storage compartment; and 
 a tether strap having a tether body extending between a first body end portion and a second body end portion and an auxiliary tether portion extending between a first auxiliary end portion and a second auxiliary end portion, wherein the first body end portion of the tether body is secured to an inside of the container base portion, wherein the second body end portion of the tether strap is accessible to an outside of the container base portion through a tether opening in the container base portion, wherein the first auxiliary end portion is secured to the tether body proximate the second body end portion, and wherein the second auxiliary end portion and the second body end portion are configured and arranged to releasably connect. 
 
     
     
       2. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein the first retaining portion is secured to the tool panel lower end portion. 
     
     
       3. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein the first retaining portion comprises a plurality of loops extending from the tool panel lower end portion and wherein the second retaining portion comprises a retaining base secured to the container base portion and a retaining bar removably secured to the retaining base and receivable through the plurality of loops. 
     
     
       4. The pack system of  claim 3 , wherein the second retaining portion further comprises a second plurality of loops connected to and extending from the retaining base, wherein the second plurality of loops is constructed to align with the plurality of loops extending from the tool panel lower end portion and to receive the retaining bar therethrough. 
     
     
       5. The pack system of  claim 3 , wherein the retaining bar has a first bar end portion defining an opening and wherein the panel-retaining structure further comprises a releasable connector attached between the retaining base and the opening in the first bar end. 
     
     
       6. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel-retaining structure is selected from the group consisting of (i) at least one latch plate and a buckle to releasably engage each of the at least one latch plate, (ii) a hook-and-loop fastener with a hook portion or a loop portion connected to the container base portion and a mating other of the hook portion or the loop portion connected to the tool panel lower end portion, (iii) a zipper with a first zipper part connected to the container base portion and a second zipper part connected to the tool panel lower end portion, (iv) a bar connected to the container base portion and one or more closed-loop connectors connected to the tool panel lower end portion, and (v) a plurality of closed-loop connectors connectable between the container base portion and the tool panel lower end portion. 
     
     
       7. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary tether portion extends from the tether body and forms a closed loop distinct from the second body end portion; and a connector is secured along the second body end portion which is constructed to engage the closed loop on the auxiliary tether portion. 
     
     
       8. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein when in the open container position, a fist tool panel is adjacent the first shell portion; a second tool panel is adjacent the second shell portion; and the first shell portion and the second shell portion are in an 180° relationship. 
     
     
       9. The pack system of  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop on the auxiliary tether portion is a closed-loop connector. 
     
     
       10. The pack system of  claim 1  further comprising a second panel-retaining structure attached between a side portion of one or more of the at least one tool panel and the first shell portion or the second shell portion. 
     
     
       11. The pack system of  claim 10 , wherein the second panel-retaining structure is attached to a back panel of the first shell portion, wherein the back panel is constructed to abut an user's back when the tool-carrying container is worn on the user's person. 
     
     
       12. The pack system of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional panel-retaining structure with a first additional retaining portion secured to the tool panel side portion of one or more of the at least one tool panel and a second additional retaining portion secured to a side portion of an additional tool panel, wherein the additional panel-retaining structure is constructed to releasably secure the additional tool panel to one of the at least one tool panel. 
     
     
       13. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein the tool-carrying container is selected from the group consisting of a backpack, a waist pack, a sling pack, and a shoulder pack. 
     
     
       14. The pack system of  claim 13 , wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion are made of a pliable material. 
     
     
       15. The pack system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one tool panel defines a panel opening adjacent a perimeter. 
     
     
       16. A tool carrying apparatus comprising:
 a tool-carrying container having:
 a container base portion; 
 a first shell portion connected to the container base portion; 
 a second shell portion connected to the container base portion opposite the first shell portion; and 
 a releasable closure portion having: a first closure part connecting to the first shell portion, and a second closure part connecting to the second shell portion; 
 wherein the first shell portion releasably connects to the second shell portion via the first closure part interacting with the second closure part, such that the tool-carrying container is operable between a closed-container position and an open-container position; and 
 wherein the closed-container position defines and encloses a main storage compartment; 
 
 a plurality of tool panels having a plurality of tool receivers, each of the plurality of tool receivers capable of releasably retaining a hand tool within the main storage compartment; 
 a panel-retaining structure having: a plurality of retaining portions, wherein a first retaining portion rotatably and releasably secured a respective one of the plurality of tool panels, and a second retaining portion is secured to an inside surface of the tool carrying container; and 
 a tether strap having a tether body extending between a first body end portion and a second body end portion and an auxiliary tether portion extending between a first auxiliary end portion and a second auxiliary end portion, wherein the first body end portion of the tether body is secured to an inside of the container base portion, wherein the second body end portion of the tether strap is accessible to an outside of the container base portion through a tether opening in the container base portion, wherein the first auxiliary end portion is secured to the tether body proximate the second body end portion, and wherein the second auxiliary end portion and the second body end portion are configured and arranged to releasably connect. 
 
     
     
       17. The pack system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of tool panels has at least a first, second, and third tool panel, such that: the first tool panel is adjacent the first shell portion; the second tool panel is adjacent the second shell portion; the third tool panel is between the first and the second tool panels; and when in the open-container position, the first tool panel and the second tool panel are rotated into an 180° relationship. 
     
     
       18. The pack system of  claim 16 , wherein the auxiliary tether portion extends from the tether body and forms a closed loop distinct from the second body end portion, and a connector is secured along the second body end portion and is constructed to engage the closed loop on the auxiliary tether portion.